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Tranquilista: Mastering the Art of Enlightened Work & Play

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Written by Kimberly Wilson

Published: 28 August 2010

I really didn't want to like this book. The cover (yes, I know) depicts 'hip chicks' and the language (at a quick glance) is full of things I feel are frivolous (like a hot pink zabuton cushion). It seemed like I was going to have to wade through some kind of 'meditation lite' or 'enlightenment made easy' text.

I was wrong.

The language is breezy, yes, but the knowledge imparted is solid, well-thought-out, and eminently practical. Tranquilista is full of useful bits, they aren't deeply explored, but they don't need to be. This is a wonderful book for most readers: busy busy busy.

Enlightened work is work performed deliberately and with attention. More and more we are discovering that multi-tasking leads to poorly done results, whereas work done with all of our attention on it is done well, and often more quickly than that which we did along with many others. Mindful play is play done with full attention and therefore enjoyed to its fullest.

Wilson encourages the reader to engage in many creative acts and to push her (its written with women in mind, but is applicable to men) boundaries a little farther than is comfortable. She shares her own stories and experiences, which encourage and support any and all dreams of our own.

If you don't have the time to develop a spiritual tradition of your own, or to explore an already-established religion, then including anything spiritual in your life is a positive action. Tranquilista provides a variety of ways to involve the spiritual in your life. These range from doing yoga in the morning to holding a charitea to opening a business in fulfillment of your dreams.

Recommended.

~review by Lisa Mc Sherry

Author: Kimberly WilsonNew World Library, 2010pp. 184, $14.95

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